Sports Report March 3, 2026

Girls Soccer

Heartbreaker in Hammond: Greenies Fall in State Championship Thriller

The Greenies refused to quit. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, with just seconds remaining in regulation and their season on the line, a foul was called just outside the Jaguars’ penalty area. Senior captain Sara Córdova stepped up in the most pressure-filled moment of the year and delivered, burying a free kick to tie the match at 1-1 and send it into overtime. The dramatic equalizer stunned the crowd and shifted all momentum to Newman.

In a heartbreaking finish, the Newman girls fell 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout, ending an unforgettable season in which the Greenies showed resilience, composure, and championship-level heart until the very final kick.

The girls wrapped up the season 13-8-3, having played very well in the regular season against four of the other six teams in the state championship games, including all three of the other winners. The postseason loss for the three-time defending champions was their first since February 2022, when the seniors were in middle school, and it ended an incredible streak of six years in which the soccer boys or girls (or both) won the state title. Congratulations Greenies!

—Caroline Milling, Green N White Sports Reporter

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For LHSAA Network TV’s video recaps of the state championship match on X, click here and here.

For GeauxPreps’ state championship highlights, click here.

For NOLA.com’s “Now healthy, winning goalie in Newman-PJP II state final makes clinching PK stops,” click here.

Boys Basketball

Newman Greenies Exceed Expectations in a Season of Growth and Promise

After the boys basketball team fell 68-64 in a close game on the road in a first-round playoff matchup on Friday to Independence High Magnet School, this season will be remembered as a defining chapter for the program. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Jason Templet, the Greenies didn’t just compete. They exceeded expectations.

With a roster featuring 10 freshmen and just 4 juniors, many observers anticipated a rebuilding year filled with growing pains. Instead, this young squad embraced the challenge, matured quickly, and battled their way into the first round of the playoffs, proving that heart, discipline, and belief can accelerate development.

From the opening tip of the season, Coach Templet and hardworking assistants Ronnell Taylor and Trey Brister instilled accountability, defensive intensity, and a team-first mentality. What could have been labeled as “inexperience” quickly transformed into hunger and resilience. The freshmen class, led by Jayce Irving, Sly Johnson, and Eli Koretzky, stepped into varsity roles without hesitation, gaining valuable minutes against seasoned opponents while growing stronger with every game.

The four juniors Pierce Cunningham, CJ Encalarde, Carter Farnsworth and Aaron Washington Jr. provided leadership and stability, helping guide the younger players through the highs and lows of a demanding schedule. Together, the blend of youth and leadership created a chemistry that fueled late-season momentum and ultimately secured a playoff berth, a significant accomplishment for a team in transition.

With the majority of this roster returning next season, including that talented freshmen core that now carries a year of varsity experience, the future of Newman basketball is undeniably bright. What was once considered a rebuilding year has evolved into the launchpad for a new era. The Greenies surpassed expectations and they’re just getting started. Congratulations to the boys, as well as the coaches, athletic trainers and parents for their unwavering support throughout the season. 🟢🏀

—Aaron Washington, Green N White Sports Reporter

Lacrosse

The lacrosse team played a hard-fought game on the road Friday night, delivering a strong non‑league showing against UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile, Alabama, coming up short 4-6. The Greenies’ offense moved the ball with confidence, highlighted by goals from Price DeMeyers (2), Ezra Friend, and William Long, with assists distributed evenly among Joe Morris, Jackson Fitzpatrick, Christopher Connolly, and Long.

On the defensive end, Newman’s pressure was the story of the night. Friend led a standout effort with 12 caused turnovers, supported by Colin Farnsworth’s four. Meanwhile, the ground‑ball unit, paced by Connolly’s four and two each for James Kuuskraa, James Ryan, and Corbett Parrino with two each, kept possession firmly in Greenie hands. In goal, Emeric Laborde anchored the defense with ten saves.

Upcoming schedule, including the home opener on Thursday at 6:30pm:

Tennis

The boys tennis team delivered an impressive performance this past weekend at the Parkview Baptist Invitational, finishing in a hard-fought second place against a competitive field.

The Greenies came out firing on Friday, thrashing University Laboratory School (U-High) in a dominant opening-round performance that set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Their energy, focus, and depth were on full display as they controlled match after match.

A special shoutout goes to Arjun Walvekar and Peyton Dang, who were flawless throughout the tournament, winning all of their singles matches and providing crucial points for the team. Their resilience highlighted a weekend full of grit and determination.
The Greenies proved they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Go Greenies!

Baseball

Newman Blanks Riverside Academy Behind Complete Team Performance

Last week, the baseball team earned a controlled 4–0 victory over Riverside Academy. The Greenies established momentum when Collier Villere delivered a key double to center field that brought home the game’s first run. Later in the opening frame, aggressive baserunning produced another score when Villere crossed the plate on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 2–0. The Greenies added separation in the fourth inning, when Malcolm Schairer advanced into scoring position and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jack Falgoust, pushing the advantage to 3–0. Newman added an insurance run in the seventh inning when Falgoust reached base and Charles Wilson delivered an RBI single to make it 4–0.
On the mound, Christian Sauska set the tone from the start, tossing a complete-game shutout while throwing 69% strikes, allowing just three hits, issuing one walk, and striking out six to control the game from first pitch to final out.

Extra-Inning Loss Follows Missed Late Opportunities

On Thursday, the boys fell 4–3 in extra innings against Saraland High School, the eighth-ranked team in the highest class of baseball in Alabama. The Spartans struck early, but Newman responded and battled throughout. In the fourth inning, the Greenies turned a 6–4–3 double play, started by shortstop Collier Villere and finished across the infield, erasing a developing threat. The Greenies tied the game 3–3 in the fifth inning behind timely execution, highlighted by a key extra-base hit from Collier Villere and an RBI sacrifice fly from Atticus Lafleur. In the sixth inning, with a runner at third base, catcher Charles Wilson ended the inning with a sharp back pick to third baseman Peter Barras, catching the runner leaning and eliminating a potential go-ahead run.

In the seventh inning, with the score still tied, the Greenies loaded the bases with no outs but were unable to score the go-ahead run. In the eighth inning, Newman executed a line-drive double play, with second baseman Falgoust initiating the play and Villere completing the turn to extinguish another scoring opportunity and preserve the tie.

The Spartans scored the decisive run in the top of the ninth. In the bottom half of the ninth, Newman put the tying run aboard and brought the potential winning run to the plate. A ground ball resulted in a force out at second base. Following an objection by Saraland and a conference between the umpires, the crew ruled that the advancing runner interfered with the fielder’s attempt to complete the play. The interference ruling resulted in the batter also being called out, ending Newman’s rally and bringing the game to a controversial conclusion.

Greenies Break It Open Early and Roll Past Kenner Discovery, 13-0

On Saturday, the boys delivered a dominant all-around performance, defeating Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy 13–0 behind a commanding outing on the mound by Augie Sauska.

Newman seized control immediately in the bottom of the first inning, applying pressure from the opening at-bats. Jack Falgoust worked a leadoff walk, and Charles Wilson followed with a line-drive single to center to ignite the rally. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position, Falgoust stole home to score the game’s first run. Atticus Lafleur then lifted a sacrifice fly to add another, and Benjamin Singer capped the inning with a two-run single to center, giving the Greenies a quick 4–0 advantage over the Swamp Owls. In the second inning, Falgoust reached again and stole second, and Wilson drove an RBI double to center field to extend the lead to 5–0, continuing Newman’s early offensive momentum and recording his second hit in as many innings.

The decisive surge came in the fourth. Falgoust doubled to ignite the rally, and Christian Sauska followed with an RBI single to push the margin to 6–0. Newman continued stacking quality at-bats: Lafleur delivered a two-run double, Singer put another ball in play that produced a run, Tanner Robert added an RBI double, Wilson worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, and Brunson Morris capped the inning with a two-run single as Newman stretched the lead to 13–0.

On the mound, Augie Sauska controlled the game from first pitch to final out, working five shutout innings while allowing one hit, striking out six, and throwing 42 strikes on 63 pitches.

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Tonight at 5pm, the boys are scheduled to play away at Jesuit High School of New Orleans. Good luck, Greenies!

For top performers, pitching summaries and full stats from these games, check out @Baseball_Newman on X here.

Reminder on Spirit Items

Upcoming Schedule

See the latest Newman sports schedule here and purchase individual home game tickets here. Thank you for supporting Newman athletics, its teams, players, coaches, and administration.